127w ago - While everyone is awaiting further details on PlayStation 3 Custom Firmware 4.21 from the Red Power Team, today multiMAN was updated to version 04.06.00 followed by v04.06.01 adding PS3 4.21 CFW support among the changes outlined below.

Finally, below are some related comments on the multiMAN v04.06.00 update as follows:

From Lightyear: multiMAN has supported 4.21 for a LONG time. now it's just CEX 4.21 support... it's really not that different. and deank releasing mm that supports 4.21 does NOT mean a completely 3rd party scene group is working on a new 4.21 CFW! they are not even working with dean... they have their own backup manager, according to their posts. *facepalm*

FWIW, multiman automatically worked on 4.21... dean didn't change anything to make that happen. someone just tested it out and realized it worked. just like PSX support. that was just a native thing that someone just "discovered" was working one day.

From deank: I see no mentions of DEX in the "What's new"/change log, quite the contrary. And - no - the mM update server is not hacked.

I just woke up and read some posts about some chinese shtty dongle for 4.21... Just to make it clear - the mM update has nothing to do with it and doesn't need a dongle if used with 4.21cfw. It is a pure speculation I guess, because there are a lot of people around who won't allow another dongle to surface anyway. I don't believe that their dongle (which I doubt it exists at all) will see the light of any day!

Why do you ask me about their stuff? I don't know any of them nor do I know what they're going to do. Someone leaked a file from their 'promo system' (the eboot.bin they use to launch that old multiMAN version), I took a look at it, I saw what patches they use for 4.21 and implemented some of them in mM and added syscall36. As simple as that - that way nothing is hidden in 'their system/manager' and is available in the regular public mM version. I know for sure that their firmware uses hermes because I saw how the payload and stuff is loaded in that leaked eboot.bin, hence I mentioned it in mM's changelog.

I already posted what I think few pages back. In addition to that - I think it will be a huge mistake if they decide to sell dongles.

I added some additional checks to make mM recognize when it is running on peek/poke-enabled 4.21CFW. Then it adds syscall36 just like it does on 3.55, which means that games should work without patching.

When asked why update MM to a hypothetical 4.21 his reply was quite arrogantly: Because I can, no other reason.

Also from deank when asked why 4.21 CFW support was listed if not fully tested yet: Ah, just don't tell me what and where I should put.

Finally a few weeks later he partially comes clean, revealing what used to be open source code and making the following statement for those interested.

Added support for fixing 80010009 errors for games with updates (like FIFA 2013 v 1.04)

mM will check the game backup, the installed update (on internal HDD and in GAMEI on external USB HDD)

It will 'fix' all .self/.sprx files and EBOOT.BIN

This feature allows you to 'fix' game updates even if you play from the original BD game disc (install the update, load the game from the [disc] icon in mM and it will check if you have installed incompatible updates and will fix it)

This function works only for 4.21-4.30CFW

Added support for installing PKG files from NTFS drives in mmOS

Added support for installing game updates after download on 4.30CFW ROGERO 2.03

Improved display of game titles in all modes (no double refresh/redraw)

Fixed covers issue in 8x4 display mode

For the stealth version (stealthMAN) update online or:

Extract the RAR archive and copy report_data.txt to a USB stick/hdd

Update/Install from [* Install Package Files]

I'm compiling the latest Showtime which will be available for update online a bit later and it is also compatible with the stealthMAN (if regular mM is not installed).

I'll add a link for the BASE stealth version which will import all the settings from the regular multiMAN (if you didn't already delete it) - options.bin/ini/showtime settings and plugins. It will only work for first-time users of stealthMAN or if you delete stealthMAN via FTP while in [* Install Package Files] and use the new report_data.txt which will be available soon.

Showtime 4.1.272 for mM available for online update for all mM versions.

Here is something some of you may find useful: Some of you used "Network Servers" option in "Settings" to connect to a PC running ps3netsrv to copy files, play ROMs, play music or view pictures. Now it is possible to connect to ANOTHER PS3 (running mM 04.15.00) be it in your local LAN or anywhere in the world.

You can copy/share data with another PS3 if the 'server' PS3 is running mM 04.15.00 and the 'client' PS3 can be using mM 04.00.00 or later.

You can backup games directly from the BD Disc of the server PS3, view photos, play music, install PKG files, copy games, access all devices connected to the server PS3, if you're on cobra cfw you can even play PS1/PS3 games or Blu-ray/DVD movies stored on the server PS3.

You can transfer game backups, movies and data from one PS3 to another without a USB drive or PC.

All in all - you can transfer/share data between to PS3s on CFW via the /net_host feature of multiMAN.

Just a side note... While improving the /net_host features to connect to a PC or/and other PS3 systems, I made a step further and added 'remote control' which allows you to interact with another PS3 running mM via remote screen. Remote screen can be full-screen or 'minimized' like in the screenshot (the minimized window is updated in real time)

It means that you connect to a friend's PS3 and help him if you're more experienced with mM or just have fun controlling your other PS3s in the house. Both sides must run compatible multiMAN versions (04.15.00 or later).

p.s. All /net_host communications are enhanced and fast - it is now possible to browse a remote PC with over 2000 ROMs/pictures/videos from the game modes (or mmOS) in a flash. Loading retro ROM covers is now greatly improved and loading remote folders is done in one pass like in early mM versions so browsing is seamless over network (to a PS3 or a PC). So many things in 04.15.00 to follow...

Can I put in a request to DeanK for MultiMan. Can you restore the 8x4 screen to the way it always was as the new way is crap. You can no longer press O then quit, its got extra icons that crash the system (disc icon with no disc in the drive) and a huge refresh icon, its not needed.

I've just downgraded to 4.13 as all 4.14 so far has problems. The USB refresh when you choose a game and the 8x4 screen problems was enough for me to downgrade and not want to update till they are fixed. 4.14 does have some bugs fixed that 4.13 has but these problems out way the little bugs.

And HOW can I get it to stop telling me there is an update? I'm not going to update so I don't want to see that message everytime I load it up.

Rename report_data.txt to anyFileName.self and Copy to USB stick or PS3 HDD

Use multiMAN mmOS, locate the file and double-click on it

mM stealth will install and start

Once you booted stealth mM at least once you can safely delete the 'regular' mM from XMB if you wish. You can delete the standalone [* Install Package Files] application from XMB if you wish.

How to load the stealth multiMAN:

1) Restart your PS3
2) Go go /app_home (which will change to the last game you loaded or to [* Install Package Files]) and press [X]
3) If you hold [SELECT] pressed it will load stealth multiMAN directly.

The updated [* Install Package Files] supports the stealth multiMAN and you can launch it by pressing [SELECT].

If you wish to create your own stealth version, repack the pkg with your changes to the PARAM.SFO / CONTENT-ID. Do not modify "data" file! Any stealth version will be able to update online and is 100% compatible/feature-like the standard mM. Still, the best way to be really stealth is to be on 4.30CFW ROGERO ver 2.03 and use the stealth version above.

I try to support any reliable firmwares out there and these are 3.41/KMEAW/REBUG/ROGERO, no matter what the version/CFW is.

mM works on all - it is that some firmwares give some cool stuff and other firmwares give you some other. If you're a gamer - go for 4.30... If you're a 'tweaker' - use 4.21 REX. I'm on 4.21 REX but it doesn't mean anything, because I don't really have games or time to play.

Finally, from CaptainCPS-X: I have found something but I don't know if you could fix this issue, whenever I run stealth multiMAN from the new Install Package (not standalone) and I quit back to XMB I cannot access the "Install Package" option on the XMB again until I reboot the PS3.

Hope it can be fixed, thanks in advance! PS3 Model: CECH-E01 (BC / NAND) FW: Rogero CFW 4.30 (v2.03). Btw, the bug is not a permanent one, it happens when the following conditions are met:

1- After installing the new multiMAN Stealth and launching it at least once.
2- Remove multiMAN from XBM as recommended in the readme.
3- Remove the Standalone "Install Package" from XMB.
4- Load the new updated "Install Packages" from "app_home"
5- Load multiMAN by pressing "select"
6- Quit multiMAN normally

Now, everytime you do step 4 to 6 you will end up in the XMB without being able to access the "Install Packages" from "app_home" anymore. Unless of course you reboot the PS3, when you do that the "Install Package" will be mounted back to "app_home".

From deank: It is not a bug and that's how it works because /app_home can be either used by a game or the build-in [* Install Package Files]. The only thing I can change is to 'remount' [* IPF] if you quit mM without loading a game.

Today the infamous Max Louarn's Cobra Team has announced they are officially entering the PS3 Optical Drive Emulator (ODE) market similar to PS3 3K3y as they apparently feel this is the next way they can con unsuspecting PlayStation 3 scene users into blowing money on unnecessary devices so they can profit as they did with the DRM-infected TB dongle months ago.

Short of a few images from their sites (cobra-ode.com / cobra-team.com) and brief description, not much is available on the device yet:

The website for the most advanced PS3 Optical Drive Emulator will be launched soon! Come back soon for further updates, details of features and information.

From their marketing frontman Gary Wayne Bowser (aka GaryOPA): "We all heard of the upcoming '3k3y' device, but now the market for installing an ODE in the PS3 scene world is heating up as the world's famous Team Cobra behind the Cobra-USB dongle is now going to be producing an Cobra-ODE for playing all your backup PS3 Blu-Ray Game Disc Images directly from any HDD without the need to have your PS3 console on 'custom firmware', which they claim will be 'most advanced PS3 Optical Drive Emulator' ever.

No more information is available at the moment, except what is on their official websites, but stay tuned as we bring you more exclusive news!"

His latest spin doctor attempt: "To the three people and dozens more that will reply causing a 'flame war'. Answer me this, how can HARDWARE be free? An ODE is not a DRM dongle it is interface between the ps3 and blu-ray drive, making the PS3 think it is talking to the actual blu-ray drive, not HDD, allowing you to use ORIGINAL FIRMWARE.

Even if the 'scene' released the info for FREE on how to do this, like the Glitch'ing on the X360, you would still have to build a PCBoard, buy the parts and solder it together, and flash an asic with the code, it might be little cheaper but still would cost money.

There is already CFW for FREE, this device is just another option for those wishing to play backups using OFW. No one is forcing you to read this topic or buy this hardware. Again it is not dongle. -- As for updating the firmware for cobra-usb dongle, i heard it was in the works, not sure if any update, i will ask."

Needless to say, those who preach about additional hardware being required to play PS3 games (silly wabbits ) with the advent of PlayStation 3 Custom Firmware a few years ago have vested interests in profiting from it. The same sheep who bought into TB will be suckered into this device that will mysteriously disappear once they cash in on the new fad they are peddling and then release free PS3 scene game cracks under various pseudonyms. In a nutshell: don't fall for these con-artists, save your money and wait for free PS3 scene solutions instead.

Another request for MM, can we get the updates to be updated like Showtime where they dont mess with the param.sfo as I have to keep editing it with every update and moving it back to where I have it. Showtime stopped that and it just updates and keeps the icon where it is.

And that 13 UPD didn't remove the disc icon when there is no disc in the drive, its still there. All the previous bugs I said about are still there. I guess I'll have to wait for the next version or downgrade. I'm going to downgrade now as its really annoying the way it is now.

That latest 4.14.03 screws up 8.4 list. Instead of O exiting like it should it now changes all the game icons into settings and you cant get the games back unless you press L1 then R1. Even if you quit then reload MM its still that stupid menu.

Cam we get the O as EXIT again.

Another thing, its got a new empty box when highlighted says "Start game from disc (PSX/PS3)" but there is no disc in the drive. And the empty box next to that says "refresh" Do we need 2 more empty boxes? looks stupid especially when there is no disc in the drive. and if you press Triangle there is a refresh option there. Oh, I just found out the Triangle menu is also screwed, its now a side menu.
If it wasn't for the new working features I would go back to a previous version of MM.

So Apple have screwed with itunes and now DeanK is screwing with MM. I cant get a break can I. Looks like everything is getting screwed except for me...

It would be a thumbs up if it worked properly. I copied a game from NTFS to internal. Ok, so it read the NTFS drive and copied the game over but the game refused to run, when it tried to install it came up with an error. I ended up deleting that version and copying it over via FTP and now it works fine. SO it will read NTFS but its corrupt when it copies from USB/NTFS to internal.

And another bug report. When you download the update of MM it wants to reboot the PS3. NOT GOOD when you update it via Remote Play as it does reboot and turn on the PS3 kicking it out of Remote Play mode.

how to skip verifying data? after installation CFW 4.30 and new mm i can't play in dragons dogma, i wait over 20 min and verifying data is still in progress, on earlier version mm and CFW 3.55 this process takes max 5 minutes